Upbeat, elegant, and featuring a sweet, addictive chord progression, Leeds-based producer FINE teams up with Molly Rymer & Jonah Evans, showcasing “Empty Space” setting the tone for the upcoming debut album “Then, Now, Until.”
Describe your sound in 3 words
Organic, Downtempo, Electronica
Tell us a few things about Empty Space. What is the main idea behind it?
A mutual love of travel and the places Molly Rymer and I have visited that embrace a slower pace of life, Empty Space is a woozy and warming track that never quite resolves. It introduces the listener to Rymers sun drenched vocals paired with Jonah Evans intricate jazz piano harmonies. Electronic Production from myself helps drive the track with a gentle thumping four on the floor and cheers from a theme park ride cycle throughout.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
On this track I was heavily inspired by Hird and Yukimi Nagano and their piece Keep You Kimi. This was my first introduction to the electronic and jazz worlds colliding, creating this diverse and rich sonic tapestry. Repetitive electric pianos and groovy jazz drums beefed up with an electronic kick make way for these heavenly vocals, what a tune. Other honourable mentions include Dreamer by S-Tone Inc and for vocal reference, Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones.
Can you share how the Leeds’ music scene has influenced your sound and artistic development?
Leeds is a thriving artistic city and I’m very grateful to have grown up and still live here – not bored yet haha. I think one of the key things is you can experience just about any genre of music. Belgrave, Wharf Chambers, Hyde Park Bookclub, The Lending Room, The Imaginarium and Hope House Gallery provide such diverse programming that you could end up seeing Afrobeats, Post Punk, Uruguyan Acid House, Drill and Folk all in the same evening. Support networks like Launchpad are an incredible gift as well and provide such valuable advice to those aiming to pursue a career in music. It’s fair to say I wouldn’t be the creative I am today without them.
A song with a chord progression you wish you had composed yourself?
Rain by The Sunday Service Choir. I get goosebumps every time I hear this song. Bass guitar on the chords is also massively underrated.
The debut album is set for release on May 17th. Can you give us a sneak peek into what listeners can expect from “Then, Now, Until”? Any particular themes or messages you aimed to convey through the album?
There are themes of friendship, love, travel, loss, and confusion in the 9 tracks which aim to take the listener on a journey. Ambient beginnings, followed by hypnotic folktronica beats make way for housey RnB, aggressive trip hop and a 4-track decrescendo that might have you reaching for the tissue box. All compositions are true to me, and the body of work can be best described as a ‘producers’ album’. Never sitting on one genre for too long but providing just enough consistency to make this eclectic collection gel together.
What isn’t a crime but should be?
Red top milk.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You can’t do everything by yourself so learn to delegate. Besides it’s more fun when you’ve got your mates with you to share the journey.
Thank you!
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Instagram/linktr.ee
Follow our Spotify Playlist “Dark Chocolate” feat. FINE
Secret Eclectic 